HSBC actually..

Yesterday I visited 1st Contact to finalise the details of my UK bank account with HSBC. Back home I’d paid $75 to 1st Contact to start the ball rolling. Yesterday, we filled out a bunch of details and listened to the 1st Contact staffer Sheila (not our Sheila, but Sheila!) talk about all the other things they do. NI numbers, temporary NI numbers, health insurance, tax returns, Limited Companies, blah, blah, blah.. on and on it went.. all the time I was thinking two things: 1) Damn I need a coffee! and 2) Let me the hell out of here so I can get to a phone!!!

After all that was sorted out (the bank account.. the call was a write-off.. sorry Tam) I had lunch in a nearby park. Oh, I was in Victoria, by the way, well hopped off at Victoria train station, not sure if the suburb is called Victoria? I hit Sainsbury’s up for some pre-packed Indian sandwiches (not bad), some iced coffee (appalling by Aussie standards!) and a choc muffin (nice).

Went home and did some cleaning and nerd stuff. I wasn’t in an explore mood.

Pizza for dinner (Aussie pizza is better, Italian pizza is better still) followed by a Mars bar icecream (YUM!!) consumed after a very long time spent in a Budgeons (like a 7-11) with Grant examining in minute detail all the beers and ciders! hehehe

Finally received the call I had been waiting for (did I mention Mars icecream is awesome? 😛 hehehe). $30 AUD gets (and I was counting) 84mins. I tried my (5 quid not 10 quid!) New Swifty phonecard with the local access number and it said I had 642 minutes call time!!! I will believe it when I tally it up!

This was after struggling to connect. I tried a few combos with no success. I ended up calling VirginMobile’s really cool ”789” helpline. You pay 10p and the operator answers any questions about the phone system. I asked how to dial Australian numbers and he said the ”+” in ”+61” is represented on a landline phone by ”00”. So, when I stopped dialing 0011 and just 00 in front of the number, it all worked! Yay! (27min and counting New Swifty..)

Got up and walked to the station with Grant, Sheila and Mei-Ling. Grant accidently bumped into some chick who had stopped in front of him on the footpath. Before we even know what’s happening, this psycho bitch has whirled around and (I thought) punched Grant in the head. Apparently she only ‘pushed’ him. She’s swearing her head off at him like he was stealing her children or something.. “fscking little crunt this and that”. We just keep walking while the psychotic bitch rants into the morning air. Sheila hears of the tale and wants blood.. I’m still not awake. We make it to the station alive. 🙂

Leaving the others at the station, I partake in a Belgium waffle with whipped cream and a Budgeons(?) cappucino. Budgeons(?) is like 7-11 and the coffee was what you’d expect from a 7-11 machine – pretty poor – but caffeine is caffeine! The waffle was very nice though.. mmm.. but triple the cost for AUD and you have a $12 breakfast!!!!! OMG!!! Fscking pound conversion!!!

Bought some stuff, like the London A-Z street directory, toiletries and food and headed home. Surfed ‘net for a while, trying to find Oxford trip info.

Booked in to get my UK bank account sorted. Picked a random station to go to again – Tower Gate. The train seemed quite slow getting there. I can’t remember what line it was on but i think it makes a difference because some lines are more rickety than others.

Walked around Tower Gate area, taking a couple of shots of the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, London Bridge and some of the funky buildings around the area. It was much nicer this time – last year, on the same walk, it was raining constantly.

Went into On Yer Bike bike shop. Very cool. Lots of funky machines and lots of funky jerseys! I want the Heinz Baked Beans jersey and the awesome Skull and Bones one.. I think they were about 50 quid each, so they will have to wait until I’m earning pounds. This shop was two stories of cool gear.. me likey!

For lunch I sat on down in the sun and ate a traditional cornish pasty (that’s what the cornish pasty van said anyway). Sat there, on the corner of London Bridge, for quite a while watching all the couriers fly by.. “Hmm, I could do that..” hahahaha 🙂

The went into Evans bike store which was right behind me and got chatting with a cool South African dude about the lack of size 14 SPD shoes hehe.. then he showed me the chopper he wanted to buy and we had a big discussion about getting 3″ flame tyres in SA! hehe He was working at the hostel bar just up the road (until he left and got the bike shop gig). I helped him out by making his last 30mins pass quickly and he helped me out by giving me plenty of tips for pouring beers and getting jobs in pubs and stuff.. very cool guy! (Him, not me! :P)

Spent the rest of the arvo wandering around this part of town taking photos of courier rigs and funky buildings.

Back at Ealing, I was invited to head up the road to the Red Lion pub for some brews with friends of Adrian(? shit forgotten his name!) who had recently returned from Morocco (I think). Grant came along too, making us a powerful drunken force of Grant, Adrian, Claire, Sam, Marcus and hippy. We certainly scared a few of the locals with our shenanigans that night! (We were sitting outside the pub, freezing our arses off, drinking beer in the hope we’d not notice the cold :P)

“Micro penises – genetic problem or caused by pigs attacking male genitals in Chinese toilets?” (Yes, it IS best not to ask..)

Using a method of travel pioneered by one of my cousins (Lisa, Kathy, Tess? I can’t remember who it was.. but I remember the story..) I closed my eyes and pointed to a random location on the train map I have. I landed on Baron’s Court station. Cool, off I set for Baron’s Court. It happened to be on the same line I catch so there was no change required.

I don’t have any maps and I’m not reading any travel guides, just training, busing and walking around looking at stuff..

Baron’s Court was pretty boring, save for the large courtroom building? that looked like a giant cruise liner sticking up out of the ground!

I think I walked through Hammersmith. Stopped at “Richmond Cycles” for a look. Small shop with some Gary Fisher mtbs and Trek roadies and mtbs and stuff, nothing of interest to me, really.

Saw the “Robin Hood” restaurant and giggled (I used to do archery).

Visited Ravenscourt Park which highlighted what Leo said to me the other day: “The English know how to do parks!” There was a massive grass area, trees, chairs, etc. like a Melbourne park, but keep walking and you get to a small “lake” full of ducks and other birdlife. Further along, there’s a skate ramp, play areas for little tackers and multiple asphalt basketball courts!! This place rocks! Back home all that stuff would be removed as soon as some spoilt yuppiespawn broke his arm playing bball..

Walked out of the park (I have no idea where I am mind you) and onto another street. Some guys in a van pull up and the passenger says “this might sounds weird buddy, but do you wanna buy some speakers?”

I laughed out loud at him because we have the same scam back home! I told him I was a tourist and he should try his luck elsewhere. The guys from Open Windows should remember this scam.. 🙂

The bus appeared to be heading for Notting Hill Gate and I got off when it looked like interesting walking. I found myself walking through Kennsington Gardens. Sat down for a bit here and watched the other tourists watching the birds by the lake. Deck chairs were scattered around the place but today wasn’t near as nice as yesterday so no one was using them.

On the way out of the Gardens I spotted the Goat Tavern. I had to go there for lunch and a brew, simply because of my fondness for the Goat ales back home. I wanted to compare Goats 🙂

Ordering bangers and mash and a pint of Bombardier(?) I found the bartender was an Aussie. Of course we got talking.. his name was Nathan and he was from Byron Bay. He was heading home in December after a year out of a Business degree. He poured me a freebie pint of the xx? Greene IPA they had. More chatter and another free pint later (I wasn’t hanging around for the beer I was just looking for info, honestly!) and his mate Anthony walked in. He worked around the corner in the Old Swan. He was out taking photos. Another Canon DSLR user (insert secret handshake). All three of us went around the corner so Anthony could cash in some pub freebie docket he had.. so more pints for us..

They were planning to go out drunken bowling. I had to take the camera and stuff back home and left it a bit late, so even though I was trying to make it back to the Goat by 8pm, I didn’t even get back to Ealing by 8. Fuggit! Sorry guys! I’ll visit again.. maybe to take that job on offer.. 🙂

More beers with Grant, Sheila, Leo and Mei-Ling left me with a nice headache to nurse.. bed time.

All the stories about London’s bad weather have so far proven to be rubbish. Today was a beaut blue sky affair! It was nicer here than what it was like when I left Melbourne! The hangover meant I missed most of the morning but the afternoon was great! Got myself a mobile SIM so my phone works in the UK now. Spent the rest of the day outside Terry’s place on the grass eating pasta salad and drinking Italian beer.. tough life eh? 😛

I dunno what was going on exactly, but there were vans and vans of coppers and what appeared to be lots of people in red and red/blue soccer (sorry, I mean “football”) colours. I assume a game was on somewhere nearby??

25 quid for a weekly railpass is good, well, not when you buy it with Aussie pesos and it costs more than a monthly MET ticket, but good in that you get two days free travel and it can be used on all buses because it is a Zone 1,2,3 ticket.

It took about 1:45 to get from Terry’s to Grant’s using bus and two train lines.. I’m kinda doing alright on the trains so far.. finding Grant’s place once getting off the train was a little bit more problematic though.. One day I might try navigating this place sober and see what happens.. a map would help too..

No photos yet. I really wanted a shot of the blue sky today (and the cruise liner right outside Tezz’s!!) but I’ve been travelling light so far.

It’s Sunday lunchtime. I’ve just woken up at Tezz’s place. Grant, Tezz and I went to the Maple Leaf in Covent Garden last night. Don’t ask me why we went to a Canadian pub..?

We proceeded to get stuck into the pints. Kronenburg, some-dudes-name beer, some honey canadian beer. Some Canadians asked us if we were staying for the game. Game? What game?! Turns out Canada was playing Russia in the World Ice Hockey finals live tonight (Bigscreen and live Tee! Jealous? hehehe). We watched as the bar filled up prior to “the game”. Chris, a Canadian joined our table and acted as our ‘Canadian Guide’ for the night!:)

Russia played dirty and got flogged by Canada. The final is on tonight between ‘da and Sweden I think.

After the game we headed to the Bok bar, a South African bar, nearby. Oh, we had been joined by Genna-Leigh (Tezz’s girl) and we were still weaering our “hockey helmets’ that they’d given out in the Maple Leaf! We were hammered!

In here we drank more pints and talked more shite.. we met Liam Gallagher (hehe) and his younger brother who didn’t have the long hair and wouldn’t pick up the chick in the orange no matter how much we embarassed him into trying! hehehe

Still with our Canadian helmets on we wandered around looking for food. I don’t eat Maccas so that threw Tezz and Genna-L. Grant had bailed from the Maple Leaf to meet Sheila for dinner. I remember going into Pizza Hut but there was going to be a 20min wait. We ended up in DACCA Tandoori. Very nice food even if I was falling asleep at the table. 45 quid for the three of us though.. eek! My funds are gonna run out before I get to mainland Europe!

Still causing havoc, we headed back to Tezz/Genna-L’s on the train.. I think? I dunno.. I do remember getting into the car at some stage which was filled with broken glass from being broken into the other day. Tezz’s car stereo go nicked.. bastards!

I slept on the couch. Very nice place here. Very posh fittings and stuff.. so much for all the stories about people slumming it in England! 😛

Very nice day today.. blue skies!! Gonna head out and get a SIM for the phone I think, if the nearby Carphone Warehouse is open. It’ll only take another couple of hours for this hangover to go away.. meanwhile Tezz and Genna-Leigh are watching some shite soapie Holly Oaks.. 😛

After 28hrs (21 airborne) I’m in London. Took 30min to get through the visa queue and a further 15min for my bag to show. This worked to my advantage because Sheila was coming to Heathrow to see off her Dad and it meant we could meet up there. I’m staying with Grant and Sheila and had no idea how to get to their house, so meeting her at the airport was a good thing.

$50AUD = 24 smegging pounds!! What a fscking joke!! Aussie ruples aren’t worth the plastic they’re printed on! Cost me 2 bob just to use a payphone for 30 seconds!

The second leg of the flight was much better than the first. Aisle seat again and no sickness. Didn’t touch any alkimahol just in case. Food was better this leg too – more like Singapore Airlines. Movies still a bit light-on.. so I started reading DaveB’s ‘A Significant Other’ while ‘pod’n’ up.

After landing it took a full 32min before I heard my first “innit?” – come on poms lift your game! 😛

I did finally grin when standing in the 3-mile long visa queue.. the accents rock.. it was just like being on set for The Bill!! hahaha! 😀

Grant and Sheila’s place is very nice. 3-stories high, warm, fairly modern reno, close to South Ealing station. They share with another couple and Sheila’s Mum is here for another few days.

I’m really tired now..

Hopefully get a UK SIM for my phone tomorrow and head to a pub for lunch with Tezz, Grunt and Sheila..

Dan, wheredafuckarya? 😛

Left Melbourne 0015 with no dramas having scored a good aisle seat – perfect for drinking!

Started watching some Dennis Quad drama/comedy. Finally got around to ordering a B&C. It was the strangest tasting bourbon I’ve ever had. Perhaps more like engine degreaser than Beam..

To cut a long story short, the rest of the trip was hell. Malaysia Air is fine but my good seat was wasted – I was crook as! You can tell when the hippy is sick – only 1 free drink, 1 movie and doesn’t finish the in-flight meal!?!?! WTF?!?!

Yeah so, still feeling pretty seedy but better. Dunno what the go is..

Arrived here around 8am Melbourne time. I have another 4 hours or so to wait before the next leg to London. Found a free ‘net terminal. Slow as, but passable..

Thanks to everyone who wished me a good trip and all – much appreciated guys! 😀

I need a wee, so I’m gonna go and do that..

“Tandas” = “Toilet” here 🙂

12, 517 is the number of kilometres currently showing on the Cateye Enduro 2 computer that I removed from the Avanti in order to fit it to the GT. I’ll reset it. It is on a ‘new’ bike after all..

2hrs to pack the bike.. and counting..

Up until midnight on Tuesday, packing more stuff, for the final drive to Mildura. Big thanks to Tee for her help packing! (and the fish and chips!!! haha!! YUM!)

Finally in bed and all too soon two alarms are going off letting me know it’s 4:30am (yes, AM! bleh!). I nuke a cup of water and add instant coffee (see the sacrifices I’m making.. don’t even have a kettle any more :S) for a much needed boost. I’m wrecked and I haven’t even left Melbourne yet..

I took Hatchback to the vets the day before and paid ~$60 for a checkup (“Does he eat properly?” “Does he piss and shit?” “Well, he looks healthy.”) and some drugs to knock him out for the drive. Even the 5-minute drive to the vet was a hassle. This cat has serious issues with being in a car!!! He’s a frickin’ strong cat too and it was impossible to contain him in the box I had, so he ended up meowing and scratching and being generally frantic and disturbed until the car stopped. I was going to need these drugs!!

Anyway, I tried putting a pill in his food, but he wouldn’t touch it so I had to resort to the disturbing method the vet showed me. You put little finger and ring finger behind the cat’s head and clamp the other fingers over his ears/head. Lift the cat up by its head (preferably with someone holding his paws – I was alone though) and force his mouth open with the other hand. You then shove the pill right down the back of his throat until he gags on it and it’s gone. He should lick his nose when he’s swallowed it. It sounds horrible for the cat, but it’s also pretty bloody disturbing for me!! Poor Hatchy! 🙁

I locked him in the laundry while I packed and waiting for the drugs to kick in. He came out later and was definately groggy. He staggered around and his eyes look like dinner plates!! (I was going to have to try some of these pills later.. )

I set about transferring the pile of bags from the house into the car. Once all the prepacked bags were in, I started scouting the house for all the loose items that would fit and needed to go back to my parent’s place (thanks for the storage M&D!!!!!!). Once the car was CHOC FULL of crap (again!) I put Hatchy in and we left. It was around 7.45am.

Hatchy wasn’t calm at all. He whined a lot and scampered around the car until we stopped and I could pat him – then he’d calm down. It took about 1:15 to get out of the city through peak hour. I was extremely tired and having to deal with a loaded car and a frantic cat was NOT a fun start to the day. I stopped for a piss and while we were stopped I force-fed Hatchy another half a pill.

Stopped at Malsbury for some stimulants. No, I didn’t deal with some truckies.. just bought some iced coffee and chocolate (and chips, which is odd, because I hardly ever buy chips).

Hatchy was flaked out now and would sleep until we hit a bump or I made a loud noise – then he’d stir and start his sad, drugged-out meowing.. until he faded into kitty snooze land..

The drive was much better once out of the city (duh!) but to keep myself entertained for the next six hours I needed something more.. I decided to prey on a fellow aus.bicycle poster.. and called Tamyka a couple of times.. more than a couple actually because she kept hanging up on me hahaha no, because the service kept dropping out in central Victoria (shakes fist at Telstra..).

Almost out of petrol, the stoned cat and I rocked up in Mildura after 7hrs on the road. I had already arranged with Mum to book the 5.05pm flight BACK to Melbourne, so it was: talk, eat, shower and then off to the airport for a hasty goodbye (Graeme rocked up in his Toll van too) and flight back to Melbourne. (See you in Switzerland, Mum! :)). Another big thanks to M&D who now have to unpack the car and sort through all my crap before packing it. I swear, half of Earth’s resources were contained within the walls of my house!!

1h:10m flight duration. I was so stuffed I actually slept on the plane! That never happens! Not even on the 24hr Australia-Europe flights! $13 Skybus ride to Spencer St. station (construction site!). Wonder when this will be renamed “Southern Cross” station? 1 hour or so on the MET train to Croydon and Bob’s your father’s brother! If that wasn’t enough.. I then go and type all this shite into a blog!!! hahaha 😛